Palestinians launch new security plan

Hundreds of members of Palestinian forces fanned out across the Gaza Strip on Thursday under the first phase of a flagship security plan, seeking to restore order in the lawless territory.

"The first stage of the plan began at dawn with hundreds of members of the Palestinian security forces deployed at the entrance of towns in the Gaza Strip and intersections," a senior official said, without giving his name because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh gave the final go-ahead late Wednesday for the new security plan to go into effect.

Mr Abbas's Fatah faction and Mr Haniyeh's Islamist movement Hamas fought deadly street battles until the two sides signed a ceasefire and power sharing deal in February which paved the way for the formation of a unity Government.

The official said the deployment was primarily focused on Gaza City and the northern part of the territory, which is frequently used as a staging post for militants firing rockets into neighbouring Israel.

Witnesses said that security personnel were checking vehicles at the entrance to Gaza City and asking passengers to show their identity cards.

Mr Haniyeh's office said a meeting on the security crackdown between the Prime Minister and security supremos was expected to take place Thursday afternoon.

In its first major cabinet decision, the new Palestinian coalition government on April 14 voted to implement a security plan that was hailed as an attempt to restore order, particularly in the increasingly chaotic Gaza Strip.